Gamma Beta History
Gamma Beta I. In early 1961, Maurice Kantro, the West Coast Representative of Zeta Beta Tau National Fraternity, wrote a letter to Robert S. Lawrence, the Director of Student Affairs at San Fernando Valley State College (now known as California Sate University, Northridge). The letter expressed ZBT's interest in forming a colony on the campus. On May 22, 1962, two independent organizations merged to form a local fraternity known as Chi Delta Psi. They were what ZBT was looking for.
One group of men, headed by Henry A. Weiner, was composed of 25 students from professional schools, such as business and engineering. They carried a collective grade point average of 3.9. All but two men were Jewish. One man, Harvey Williams, was the first black man to be initiated in Gamma Beta history, and in C.S.U.N.'s Greek history. The second group of men was an organization of men from the college's football and track teams. They were led by David Schacter. Neither Weiner's or Schachter's groups were interested in pledging a fraternity. For the most part they were juniors and seniors who were not interested in the expense of time and effort required of pledging. It was for that reason that the two merged together to begin their own local fraternity.
Zeta Beta Tau soon learned of Chi Delta Psi's development and contacted them in regards to colonization. Of course Chi Delta Psi was very excited about the situation, and on August 1, 1962, Chi Delta Psi was oficially installed as a colony of Zeta Beta Tau National Fraternity. The event was held at the Valley Colonial House in North Hollywood; Dean Oviatt of San Fernando Valley State College was the keynote speaker. The first President of Gamma Beta was Henry Weiner.
At this point, ZBT National considered this new "colony" a Chapter of Zeta Beta Tau. This chapter was known as-Gamma Beta; however, to the college community it was known as Chi Delta Psi, a colony of Zeta Beta Tau. This was purely a political move based on a small technicality. Because of Henry Weiner's graduating status.
Gamma Beta's pledge program was not in favor of hazing, although the Beta pledge class was responsible for completing certain chores, such as walking their one month old pledge brother.
The next major occurrence in Gamma Beta's history took place on March 20, 1964. Chi Delta Psi was oficially installed as the Gamma Beta Chapter of Zeta Beta Tau. This momentous occasion was held in the Empire Room of the Sportsman's Lodge in Sherman Oaks. Those present included National President Jack London, National Secretary Barry Siegel, as well as founding fathers Henry Weiner, David Shacter and the then current President Eugene Seiden.
By 1968, Gamma Beta had a membership of 100-110 members -only 30 of these men paid dues. The house was having outrageous parties, each becoming increasingly more extravagant. The house funds were being depleted. National and the chapter's executive board cracked down on initiation fees and monthly dues collections. When the policies were enforced, house membership dropped to 30 men.
To help pay its debts, Gamma Beta took out a second trust deed on its Superior Street house, located at 17820 Superior Street in Northridge, which they had moved into in 1966. The second trust deed dealt the blow which crippled the chapter. But Gamma Beta didn't stop there. The chapter struggled along in 1969 without much improvement in its status. This seems to be due to the apathetic responses of presidents Bill Eperin (1968) and Martin Fox (1969). In 1970, Gamma Beta lost the Superior Street residence.
President Jim Taylor made every effort to keep the house and they received a short extension from the bank. But, by this time the seven members of Gamma Beta were too few to sustain the house. Before the house was lost, the chapter held a rush which resulted in 32 associate brothers, half of which eventually dropped out. They were declared associate brothers in order that the chapter could function properly.
In late 1970, the chapter could no longer keep the Superior Street house. They defaulted on the loan .
In 1971, for reasons unknown the office of President was held by two men "imultaneouply. They were Steve Schwartzman and Brian Moore. With the power split between them, they were an ineffective team in running the chapter. Facts concerning this era are vague. The Schwartzman-Moore presidency may have extended through 1972. For part of 1973 Sheldon Arak was president, and in 1973-1974 David Mendez was president. However, at some time in 1974, it appears that David Mendez was the only member of Gamma Beta. As of the close of what is now known as Gamma Beta I, the chapter had 16 presidents to its scores of brothers and a shaky past.
Founding father Henry Weiner commented in 1982, "I personally feel that the unity and cohesiveness was not there. They were there for themselves and not for brotherhood."
It is crucial to note that Gamma Beta never folded. Its charter was never revoked by the University or by Zeta Beta Tau National. The charter was only replaced, simply because the original one was lost.
In 1973-74, with just one member left in the chapter, it had seemed to most that the chapter had died. Fortunately, that was not the case. President David Mendez, along with executive trustees Frank Tansey and Jim Taylor made an important agreement with Assistant Dean of Students Fred Strachi (Dean Strachi was instrumental in the organization of three ZBT chapters, and is an honorary brother of Zeta Beta Tau National Fraternity, an honor rarely bestowed). The agreement between these four men shaped the future of Gamma Beta. Strachi allowed Mendez to submit the forms required of all chartered organizations on campus, thus allowing Gamma Beta to function as a national fraternity, even if only on paper. Gamma Beta's charter was not pulled by C.S.U.N. or by ZBT National, and therefore the chapter did not fold. This marks the division between Gamma Beta I and Gamma Beta II. It should be recognized that recolonization was avoided through the foresight of Mendez, Tansey, Taylor and Strachi.
A new Beginning. In 1975, Louis Steinberg, a ZBT alumnus from Ohio State University, contacted Dean Strachi to find out if ZBT had a chapter at C.S.U.N. as his son was preparing for college and was interested in joining ZBT. When Steinberg found out about Gamma Beta's situation, he reasoned that he could help put the chapter back on its feet again through his "on, Michael. Soon Mike Steinberg and two others, Bob Kohn and Mike Mattern got together with David Mendez to pick up were Gamma Beta I left off. David Mendez became the first president of Gamma Beta II, a chapter of four men. About four weeks went by, and the men of Gamma Beta were becoming discouraged. They lost their only pledge and then Mendez decided to become an alumnus. The remaining three were ready to give up out of sheer hopelessness. But just as the last glitter of hope was fading away, Max Neiman, a student at C.S.U.N., contacted the chapter. He and three friends, Gary Eisenberg, Jay Ringerman and Steve Wilshinsky were interested in becoming a part of ZBT. On March 7, 1975, the seven men joined to once again attempt to re-establish Gamma Beta II at C.S.U.N.; these seven men are now known as the refounding fathers of Gamma Beta.
David Mendez should be recognized for his extreme devotion and perseverance which kept Gamma Beta alive. The efforts of Fred Strachi, Frank Tansey, Jim Taylor and Lou Steinberg were also integral factors in the rebirth of Gamma Beta.
Through an incredibly exciting history, Gamma Beta chapter has proved ZBT to be a dominant force. With a committed reputation, both on campus and in the community, Zeta Beta Tau members are known as the leaders of C.S.U.N.. And ever since Fall of 1984, Zeta Beta Tau has been the largest fraternity on campus.